Larry Shenk, Vice President of Alumni Relations, shares his notes, quotes and anecdotes from the world of baseball.

Dominate, Masterful

Dominate: “to have control, power, or authority over somebody or something.”

Well, that was Cliff Lee last night as the Phillies won the rubber game of three in DC to win another series. Lee tossed 99 pitches (74 strikes) in blanking the Nationals in 2 hours, 6 minutes.

Masterful: “demonstrating exceptional skill or ability.”

Well, that was Cliff last night and Doc the night before. Aces 1 and 2 certainly performed like aces 1 and 2. Guess this is what the Phillies envisioned when they brought Lee back.

Back-to-back complete games are a rarity these days. Last time it happened for the Phillies in April was 1988 (Bruce Ruffin and Don Carman). Last time it happened period, May 1999 (Paul Byrd and Curt Schilling).

What is the club record for consecutive complete games? Glad you asked. 5, set in 1966 and matched in 1972. Then, there’s the club record for fewest in a season: 4, 2004, 2005 and 2006.

J-Roll Climbs Again
His run-scoring single last night was his first RBI after 54 at-bats to start the season. For his career, it was single #1,109, which moved him into seventh place on the club’s all-time list, ahead of Sherry Magee. Next in Jimmy’s sight, Tony Taylor and Del Ennis, both at 1,178. Club record holder is Richie Ashburn, 1,811.

Charitable Players
This core of Phillies players are the most active when it comes to giving back to the community.

On Saturday, Doc will host children from PAL. The kids will watch batting practice and enjoy the game and dinner in Doc’s suite. Shane will treat members from Variety—The Children’s Charity—to BP. He will meet each child after BP. Kids also receive tickets, food coupons and a T-shirt . . . Ryan Madson and Carlos Ruiz will headline the Philadelphia Futures’ Get In The Game charity on Sunday evening.

Phil-Ins
With the Sixers in the playoffs, there have been some more changes in the Phillies TV lineup: April 18 is now on WPHL, April 19, Comcast SportsNet and April 21, The Comcast Network . . . Monday’s game with the Brewers will be on national TV, ESPN . . . Before tonight’s game, Carlos Ruiz will meet Carlos Ruiz, a member of the Philadelphia Union pro soccer team . . . Curt Schilling and Jamie Moyer are 2011 additions to ESPN’s Baseball Tonight Show, making occasional appearances . . . After 12 games a year ago, Phils were 8-4.

This Date In Phillies History
April 17, 1976—Mike Schmidt hit four consecutive home runs and added a single in an 18-6 win over the Cubs in Wrigley Field. Hitting .167 going into the game, Schmidt connected twice off Rick Reuschel, once off Rick’s brother, Paul, and once of Mike Garman. Schmidt finished with 8 RBI, joining Kitty Bransfield, Gavvy Cravath and Willie Jones for the most RBI in one game in Phillies history.

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